No attitude adjustment for those who toe the line, NCPO assures

[webfact]

No attitude adjustment for those who toe the line, NCPO assures
JITRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAIS STILL have full rights and freedoms in every way "as long as their expression remains [in accordance with] the set rules and regulations," the spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said yesterday.

Colonel Winthai Suvari said people "should not distort [rules] to create conditions and discourse on the stereotypical concept of freedom".

In response to concerns over the NCPO's recent inclination to invite critics to have their attitudes adjusted, he said people could still enjoy rights and freedoms when those rights and freedoms don't offend individuals or organisations.

Reckless expression has already brought the country to conflict, Winthai said.

Action against those violating the NCPO's conditions would remain the same, he said. It had not discriminated against any particular group, [political] party, or occupation; everything depended on their behaviour, Winthai said.

He explained that the NCPO's reaction to violators included creating mutual understanding and asking for cooperation. But if infractions persist, counter-measures would be intensified in line with the law.

"The authorities needed to invite some people for a talk because they infringed the agreement [they've had with the NCPO] and they repeatedly did so.

"These included giving inaccurate and unclear comments on individuals and organisations that could lead to scepticism and misunderstandings in society," Winthai said.

Meanwhile, Matilda Bogner, regional representative of the OffIce of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s Southeast Asia office, yesterday expressed concern over the increasing number of arrests and detention of government critics.

The office reiterated its call to the government to restore space for free expression and public dialogue, in line with Thailand's international human rights obligations.

"Freedom of the press, including freedom for journalists to operate without fear of reprisals, is essential in promoting transparency and accountability on issues of public interest.

"OHCHR welcomes the release of Pravit Rojanaphruek of The Nation newspaper. We were in regular contact with Thai authorities during his detention and called for his immediate release," she said.

Meanwhile, Pravit announced in the newsroom yesterday that he has made a personal decision to resign, The Nation's managing editor Jintana Panyaarvudh said.

'Use regular legal channels'

Niran Pitakwatchara, the national human rights commissioner, suggested the NCPO use normal legal channels to handle those who commit violations. Confidence could be rebuilt better that way, he said.

In response to the junta's recent actions against its critics, Niran said the rights and freedoms of the public and the press are protected under Article 4 of the 2014 interim |charter.

Thus, the government should demonstrate the maintenance of democracy in Thailand.

If any action on freedom of expression extended over to any violation against individuals or the public, the judicial process or the court should take charge, he said.

He said that if authoritarian power is exercised, reaction will be aroused. Then it would cause more conflicts.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-attitude-adjustment-for-those-who-toe-the-line--30268956.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-17

[NongKhaiKid]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

[Wilsonandson]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

Criticism that might cause conflict in society will not be tolerated. For example, when reading the newspaper, the reader wants to have an accurate picture of the news, not a distorted version with one sided opinions. Reckless expressions might lead the reader to wrong conclusions and therefore create conflict in the mind of the reader.Freedom of speech is the right of all, but gossip and false reports can stir rumours that might bring unhappiness to the people.

[lovelomsak]

In other words "You are entitled to an opinion as long as it agrees with mine" otherwise you are a trouble maker.

[cornishcarlos]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

Criticism that might cause conflict in society will not be tolerated. For example, when reading the newspaper, the reader wants to have an accurate picture of the news, not a distorted version with one sided opinions. Reckless expressions might lead the reader to wrong conclusions and therefore create conflict in the mind of the reader.Freedom of speech is the right of all, but gossip and false reports can stir rumours that might bring unhappiness to the people.

Name 1 major newspaper or news channel that is not one sided and doesn't distort the news, in one shape or form ?

[ramrod711]

No attitude adjustment for those who toe the line, NCPO assures

The government really, really needs a new public relations person, seriously!

[MZurf]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

Criticism that might cause conflict in society will not be tolerated. For example, when reading the newspaper, the reader wants to have an accurate picture of the news, not a distorted version with one sided opinions. Reckless expressions might lead the reader to wrong conclusions and therefore create conflict in the mind of the reader.Freedom of speech is the right of all, but gossip and false reports can stir rumours that might bring unhappiness to the people.

Sounds like you're a junta speech writer.

[MZurf]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

But, but, but....Thaksin!

[bobmac10]

The longer these clown hold on to power, the more obvious it becomes to any independent observer that they have no clue as to what to do.

They have a fuzzy agenda which harks back to the old days, a nostalgic view of old Thailand when the poor knew their place and the big elite families ran the country.

Pity about the 21st century coming along to spoil the party.

Economics???

One thing is for sure, nothing has fundamentally changed, the old clique are back in power.

[iBike]

I'm glad I'm relatively young and able to move on from Thailand when I choose! Obviously I'll 'not be missed'

[FloridaExport]

They mean "tow" the line, right? Toeing and possibly stepping over the line has been getting people readjusted as far as I can tell.

[PaPiPuPePo]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

Criticism that might cause conflict in society will not be tolerated. For example, when reading the newspaper, the reader wants to have an accurate picture of the news, not a distorted version with one sided opinions. Reckless expressions might lead the reader to wrong conclusions and therefore create conflict in the mind of the reader.Freedom of speech is the right of all, but gossip and false reports can stir rumours that might bring unhappiness to the people.

Are you a speechwriter for the junta? If not, I suggest you apply, you've got the idiom down pat!

[JAG]

No attitude adjustment for those who toe the line, NCPO assures

The government really, really needs a new public relations person, seriously!

Is the General going to say that at the UN do you think?

[PaPiPuPePo]

Gosh, I don't like stereotypes and now I'm quite concerned that my whole life the freedoms I've enjoyed have been merely "the stereotypical concept of freedom"! I'm grateful to the good Col. for revealing there's a higher class of freedom, even if it's a bit difficult for my limited mind to understand how strict self-censorship and "toeing the line" constitute freedom of speech.

I'll just have to learn to understand, after all, who could be better skilled at teaching the meaning of freedom than a military man? Since they have no freedom themselves, who could better understand its meaning?

[BuaBS]

They mean "tow" the line, right? Toeing and possibly stepping over the line has been getting people readjusted as far as I can tell.

I wanna tow the Line , but I don't want to install the app.

[Just1Voice]

Henry Ford: "You can have any color you want, as long as it's black."

Pan-O: "You can have any opinion you want, as long as it agrees with mine."

[Hawk]

1984 comes to mind here with its "Ministry of Truth" and so called "thoughtcrimes" against the all powerful, one party state.

Big brother is watching you!

[lildragon]

Colonel Winthai Suvari said people "should not distort [rules] to create conditions and discourse on the stereotypical concept of freedom".

............

.......................

...................................

WHAT!?

[NOC]

I have absolutely no respect for authority, due to people like this.

[PaPiPuPePo]

I highly recommend "The Authoritarian Mind," available online as a pdf., the author's conclusion after much research is some people are just hard-wired to unconditionally accept authority as well as expect the same from others when they're in charge. Nothing you can do about it (except hope this kind of person doesn't get too much power, over yourself at least!).

[MZurf]

I highly recommend "The Authoritarian Mind," available online as a pdf., the author's conclusion after much research is some people are just hard-wired to unconditionally accept authority as well as expect the same from others when they're in charge. Nothing you can do about it (except hope this kind of person doesn't get too much power, over yourself at least!).

When I read this post a number of junta loving posters came to mind. I could name them but...no, unnecessary.

[phoenixdoglover]

Dear Colonel Winthai Suvari,

You're a spokesperson for a military government; a human analogue with all the authenticity and integrity of a $10 speech synthesizer.

You are the antithesis of free speech. A singular black hole in an expanding universe of possibility.

Please accept my sincerest apologies if my comments seem in any way insulting or discordant.

Your obedient servant,

PDL

[RockyBeerbelly]

Says it all really.

Thais have the right and freedom to express their views PROVIDING they are officially approved.

The junta can hide behind behind expressions such a ' distort ', ' reckless expression ' etc but they're simple euphemisms for crticism will not be tolerated.

Criticism that might cause conflict in society will not be tolerated. For example, when reading the newspaper, the reader wants to have an accurate picture of the news, not a distorted version with one sided opinions. Reckless expressions might lead the reader to wrong conclusions and therefore create conflict in the mind of the reader.Freedom of speech is the right of all, but gossip and false reports can stir rumours that might bring unhappiness to the people.

Besides that I really disagree with your statement (which I ironically read as a distorted version of freedom of speech), you mention a few opinions which are really not true. The largest part of people reading newspapers are reading specifically these newspapers because they tell a one sides story, and which basically is exactly what the reader wants to read. If these same newspaper readers would read a newspaper supporting the other side of the political spectrum they will disagree with anything that is mentioned there (but might actually be the absolute truth). Reckless expressions are not those that make readers make the wrong conclusions (a conclusion is entirely up to the intellect of the reader), reckless expressions are only those which incite hatred, discrimination, violence, etc. Besides that, people should be able to say anything they like, regardless of whether other people like it or not.

[heybruce]

Colonel Winthai Suvari said people "should not distort [rules] to create conditions and discourse on the stereotypical concept of freedom".

............

.......................

...................................

WHAT!?

Simple, people are not allowed their own concept of freedom, they must use the junta's concept of freedom. The junta's concept is that you are free to agree with the junta or face the consequences.

[coulson]

'He explained that the NCPO's reaction to violators included creating mutual understanding and asking for cooperation. But if infractions persist, counter-measures would be intensified in line with the law'

Meanwhile the UN will be addressed about world peace in Thailand, and how the farmers will all have 6 figure salaries in 10 years, I hope they can *understand*, and don't ask difficult questions....

[PaPiPuPePo]

I highly recommend "The Authoritarian Mind," available online as a pdf., the author's conclusion after much research is some people are just hard-wired to unconditionally accept authority as well as expect the same from others when they're in charge. Nothing you can do about it (except hope this kind of person doesn't get too much power, over yourself at least!).

When I read this post a number of junta loving posters came to mind. I could name them but...no, unnecessary.

Evident among the "RTP says the Burmese guys did it so they must have" crowd as well.

[Fat Haggis]

and we're still not allowed to use the "D" word to describe the current establishment.. says it all really

[Emster23]

"people could still enjoy rights and freedoms when those rights and freedoms don't offend individuals or organisations."

Freedom of speech includes the distinct possibility and right to offend. BTW how many individuals? How many and which organizations?

[quandow]

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”
― George Orwell, 1984

[Roadman]

I highly recommend "The Authoritarian Mind," available online as a pdf., the author's conclusion after much research is some people are just hard-wired to unconditionally accept authority as well as expect the same from others when they're in charge. Nothing you can do about it (except hope this kind of person doesn't get too much power, over yourself at least!).

When I read this post a number of junta loving posters came to mind. I could name them but...no, unnecessary.

haha...would be happy to be on your list.

Funny isn't it that the article we are addressing is regards the Junta's "hope this kind of person doesn't get too much power, over yourself at least!".

Yet one could put the same under a Thaksin and his cronies article when people were dying and the "hope this kind of person doesn't get too much power, over yourself at least!". and the same still applies.

Guess at the end of the day its do you wish for a "boo" from the Junta that Khun Pravit got or a "boom" from a Thaksin's cronie bomb or other weapon that people were dying from.

Personally prefer neither and prefer to hunker down knowing that at least with the current Junta if his bodgies can ever get a constitution together then the 'boo's' are short term and better than Charlem's, the UDD and Reds supporters 'booms' and we will soon be back to listening to the full on bullshit from all sides. Only hope its without future booms.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Roadman